What did the public's view of leadership look like following the economic turmoil of 1973?

Following the economic turmoil of 1973, particularly marked by the oil crisis and stagflation, the public’s view of leadership shifted toward a deep-seated distrust in government effectiveness. During this period, many Americans faced rising inflation, unemployment, and a general economic malaise, which contributed to feelings of dissatisfaction and frustration toward government leaders and institutions.

The feeling of distrust was driven by the perception that the government was unable to effectively manage the economy or respond to the crises. Events such as the Watergate scandal had already eroded public confidence in elected officials, and the economic struggles only exacerbated those sentiments. People began to question the competence and intentions of their leaders, believing that they were out of touch with the realities facing everyday citizens.

This environment of skepticism grew stronger as personal and public expectations for government intervention and assistance clashed with the realities of the economic situation, leading to a prevailing belief that the government was not equipped to provide effective solutions.